Rocco’s offers excellent and affordable options for anyone with a hankering for Italian food
by Kendra Mills
Rocco’s was an accidental island fixture. The owners planned on opening a pizza shop in Florida but found that real estate was more viable on the Vineyard. Owner Chris Pantalone says, “We opened on December 13th during a blizzard and we have been busy ever since.”
It is easy to understand the appeal of Rocco’s. The atmosphere is charming, with seating both outside and indoors with views of the water, the prices are extremely reasonable for entrées like pastas and sandwiches, and the thin crust, freshly baked pizzas simply cannot be beat. Pantalone spent time working in restaurants growing up and has a particular fondness for his teenage job at a large pizza joint. “It was a huge pizza place that made hundreds of pizzas a night. I loved the place. I worked with these women who ran the pizza section. That is what inspired me. We had an amazing pizza,” he said. “Everything I do here stems from that time in my life. The little old ladies would yell at me all the time and basically thats what I do to the guys here. I’m saying the same things, ‘too much cheese, too little cheese, too much, too much!’ So the pizza, the recipe, flavor, the thought process all comes from me growing up in that big Italian restaurant that I grew up in.”
Rocco’s adheres to the general understanding of traditional Italian food when it comes to their pizzas and pastas, serving dishes like the White Italian Pizza with ricotta, romano, and mozzarella cheese with rosemary or baked lasagna. However, Rocco’s also offers a variety of different menu items to satisfy those with a hankering for more traditional American food with options like chicken tenders, french fries, or a BLT. For more adventurous eaters, the cooks prepare dishes like hot stuffed peppers, greek salad, and hot pastrami sandwiches. When it comes to a favorite menu item, Pantalone stays with the classics. “I’m pretty basic. My favorite item is the cheese pizza.”
Rocco’s offers an array of pre-made dinners to be cooked at home, including calzones and raviolis. The restaurant also caters upon request and offers a wide variety of foods for people with dietary constraints like gluten intolerance. Pantalone is constantly innovating when it comes to the menu. “As of yesterday, I’m making 25 spinach wrapped ham, turkey, and tuna fish sandwiches to go, for the beach-goers to pick up in the morning.” Pantalone cites local clientele as his primary customers during the off season, as people who work in Vineyard Haven will stop by to pick up lunch during a busy day. Both visitors and residents alike have embraced the welcoming atmosphere and delicious food at Rocco’s Pizzeria. Weathering any kind of storm, the business is here to stay.
More Info:
Find on Facebook
508-693-1125
Located at Tisbury Market Place in downtown Vineyard Haven
marthasvineyardpizza.com
Hours: 11:30am to 9:00pm everyday
